Local news- Press Release
Snohomish County Washington - Snohomish County Office of Social Justice Accepting Application for Community Sponsorship Initiative 04 January 2024 ( news )
Snohomish County , state Washington ( By Press Release office)
Jan 04,2024
| 5| 1
Contact:
Kelsey Nyland
Kelsey . Nyland@snoco . org
425 - 407 - 3071
Snohomish County Office of Social Justice Accepting Applications for Community Sponsorship Initiative
In 2023 , Sponsorship Initiative Distributed $210 , 000 to 33 Community Organizations
Snohomish County , Wash . , January 4 , 2024– Executive Dave Somers today announced that the Snohomish County Office of Social Justice ( OSJ ) is accepting applications for its community sponsorship initiative . The initiative provides up to $5 , 000 in financial support to organizations working to advance efforts related to diversity , equity , and inclusion . This is the first of four funding rounds in 2024 .
“Snohomish County is committed to advancing diversity , equity , and inclusion both within our organization and across our communities , ” said Executive Somers . “I’m glad this initiative is providing vital support to community - based organizations , and I encourage all organizations working to advance equity to apply for this newest round of funding . ”
In 2023 , OSJ administered a total of $210 , 000 to 33 community - based organizations across four funding rounds . Awards were distributed across Snohomish County and projects ranged from back - to - school support for historically underserved families , to supporting access to fresh produce , to job training for formerly incarcerated individuals .
“The Lake Stevens Farmers Market was a recipient of the community sponsorship awarded by the OSJ in 2023 . The funds we received were used to help launch our Power of Produce Kids Club ( POP Club for short ) which educates our community’s youth on the importance of fresh , locally grown foods . In addition , it provides activities centered around engaging in their own family ' s shopping decisions with a focus on how local food can be easier to obtain and tastier on their plates , ” said Sarah Dylan Jensen , Manger , Lake Stevens Farmers Market . “For the 12 - week season , youth participants received a weekly activity to learn as well as $2 in POP tokens to spend on a fresh fruit or vegetable in our market . We are excited to expand upon this program in 2024 and see our community’s kids thrive . ”
To be eligible for the community sponsorship initiative , an organization must propose a project supporting at least one of the following priorities: Advancing social justice by promoting equity and well - being; promoting equity of opportunity; and/or fostering diversity and inclusivity . Previous awardees may apply again , however preference will be given to organizations that have not yet received an award .
Interested organizations can learn more about the initiative
here
, and can complete and submit the
online application here
. Applications must be submitted via the online form or by email by Friday , January 19 , 2024 .
Executive Somers established the Office of Social Justice based on a recognition of the need for change within Snohomish County . The creation of the Office of Social Justice emphasized the Executive’s commitment to leading an effort of transforming institutional racism by identifying our current internal and external systems for change . Learn more about OSJ here:
https://www . snohomishcountywa . gov/5677/Office - of - Social - Justice
Press Release . . .
PLAY the NEWS
* May be useful for visually impaired persons .
Press release information :
Direct link to press release:
Click here .
